Code of Discipline for Online Distance Learning
Maranatha Christian Academy of Mandaluyong, having the Special Parental Authority over the persons of its learners, sanctions misdemeanors/misconduct or violation of any rules and regulations prescribed in this handbook to instill discipline, maintain peace and order and ensure the security of all members of the virtual learning community. The School requires its learners to strictly observe and comply to its rules and regulations.
A. General Policies on Discipline
- Commission of four (4) minor violations will constitute one (1) major violation.
- Commission of two (2) major violations will automatically put the learner on Academic Probation status the following School Year.
- Behavioral Probration refers to the status of a learner who has incurred several violations of the Code of Discipline from the previous school year and/or is referred by the teacher-in-charge to the Office of Guidance and Counselling for behavioral intervention. Learners in Behavioral Probation may be candidates for non-readmission upon recommendation of the teachers and Academic Committee after consideration of his over-all academic and behavioral performance.
- Habitual and Repetitive Misbehavior/Misconduct- In any cases where a student incurs at least four (4) counts of a single major violations or four (4) counts of multiple major violations, dismissal will be strongly considered upon deliberation by the Principal, Prefect of Discipline, Guidance Counsellor, class advisers, subject teachers with notice to the parents/guardians. Severity of the offense, deliberate disregard of school policies, habituality and the safety of the whole community of learners will be highly considered in the decision.
- Sui Generis Cases- The list of violations in this Code of Discipline are not exclusive. Other violations not enumerated may be treated on a case-to-case basis.
B. Due Process
B.1. For Minor Violations
Teacher’s Report
In cases of violations reported by a teacher, the following due process must be observed:
a. The teacher-in-charge warns the learner. Upon his/her refusal to refrain from committing violation, the teacher-in-charge reports the case to the Office of the Prefect of Discipline (OPD) substantiated by evidence such as classroom report.
b. The OPD verifies the veracity of the reported violation by scheduling a personal consultation with the learner-offender.
c. The OPD issues the Misconduct Form to be signed by the parent. This will also serve as Notice to the parents and/or guardians.
d. The OPD updates the Learners’ Discipline Record in his/her personal account in the MCA Mandaluyong’s Portal. Accumulation of four (4) minor violations constitutes one (1) major violation.
Learner’s Report
In cases of violations reported by a teacher, the following due process must be observed:
a. The learner reports the case to the teacher-in-charge with proof of violation during online class hours only except for cases of cyberbullying.
b. The teacher-in-charge forward the case to the class adviser and to the OPD.
c. The OPD verifies the veracity of the reported violation by scheduling a personal consultation with the learner.
d. The OPD issues the Misconduct Form to be signed by the parent. This will also serve as Notice to the parents and/or guardians.
e. The OPD updates the Learners’ Discipline Record in his/her personal account in the MCA Mandaluyong's Portal.
B.2. For Major Violations
In cases of major violations of the Code of Discipline, reporting by the teacher-in-charge or a fellow learner will be the same as that of minor violations. After reporting:
a. The OPD investigates the case and recommend the same to the Child Protection Committee (CPC) headed by the School Administrator.
b. The OPD issues notice to the parents or guardians for a conference meeting.
c. The CPC hears the case with the parents or guardians, advisers and principal. A parent or guardian who fails to attend the conference will be considered to have waived his/her right to contest the allegations against his/her child.
d. The CPC decides the case based on its factual merits and serves the copy of such decision to the parent or guardian.
C. Sanctions
1. For Minor Violations (Level 1)
• Warning from the teacher.
• Recording of the violation in the MCA Mandaluyong Portal.
• Accumulation of four (4) minor violations constitutes one (1) major violation.
2. For Major Violations (Level 2)
• First Offense: Recording of the violation, Notice to Parents and/or Guardian and Conference with Principal and OPD
• Second Offense: Recording of the violation, Notice to Parents and/or Guardian on Learner’s Inclusion to Probation Status should he/she commits another major violation, Conference with Principal and OPD
• Third Offense: Recording of the violation, Inclusion to Behavioral Probation Status, Notice of Dismissal to Parents and/or Guardians should he/she commits another major violation, Conference with Principal and OPD
• Fourth Offense: Recording of the violation, Conference with Principal and OPD and Dismissal
3. For Major Violations (Level 3)
• Major violations that endanger the safety and security of the learners in the cyberspace, infringe on the children’s right to privacy and involve infraction of the laws of the country will be dealt by dismissal from the School.
D. Violations and Offenses
The following enumeration of violations and offenses are not exclusive:
D.1. OFFENSES AGAINST ORDER
These violations disrupt the peace and order of the online classes and are considered as Minor Violations:
a. Tardiness- entering the online class 30 minutes late without valid excuse
b. Absenteeism – absences without excuse
c. Truancy- leaving the online class for no valid reason
d. Cutting classes- skipping online classes without valid excuse
e. Improper uniform- not wearing the prescribed uniform during online class, unofficial modification of the prescribed uniform
f. Improper haircut
g. Wearing heavy make-up, nail polish and unnecessary fancy accessories during online class (for girls)
h. Unnatural body marks- wearing of temporary or permanent tattoo, wearing of earrings (for boys)
i. Class disturbance- any unnecessary movement that interrupts or interferes in the proper order of online class
j. Playing with gadgets other than the one used in online class
k. Playing with Zoom conference settings that disrupts online classes
D.2. OFFENSES AGAINST ANOTHER PERSON
These violations are directed against the person and honor of another learner and are considered as Level 2 Major Violations:
a. Cyber libel- any inaccurately or injuriously written defamation triggered via electronic means, including the Internet, social media, email and websites
b. Cyberbullying
c. Slandering- making false verbal malicious and derogatory remarks against a learner
d. Sending unwholesome texts, defamatory statements against a learner
e. Online sexual harassment- sending inappropriate or explicit photos, texts or advances to another learner that makes the receiver feel threatened or strongly distressed or manipulating photos or videos of another learner to subject him/her to humiliation. This violation will be sanctioned depending on the gravity of the act committed.
f. Cyberstalking- repeated use of electronic communications to harass or frighten another learner by sending threatening messages
g. Extortion- forcefully collecting money from another learner by blackmailing or threatening him/her or by use of force or intimidation
D.3. OFFENSES INVOLVING DISHONESTY
These violations are considered as Level 2 Major Violations:
a. Unauthorized accessing and altering the contents of the grade entries in the MCA Mandaluyong's Portal
b. Forging or tampering teachers’, parents’ or guardians’ or any other person’s e-signature
c. Plagiarism
d. Causing false alarms that disturb the peace and order of the online class
e. Cheating or dishonesty during online assessments
f. Providing untruthful information when asked
D.4. OFFENSES AGAINST MORAL VALUES
These violations are offensive against moral values and are considered as Level 2 Major Violations:
a. Engaging in cybersex- This offense will be meted out by dismissal from the School.
b. Posting indecent or lewd photos of oneself in the MCA Online Learning Zone or elsewhere
c. Immoral acts such as acts of lasciviousness, pre-marital sex, abortion or rape of another learner. This offense will be meted out by dismissal from the School.
D.5. OFFENSES AGAINST THE INSTITUTION
These violations are directed against the School including its teaching and non-teaching staff and are considered as Level 2 Major Violations:
a. Slandering- making false verbal malicious and derogatory remarks against the School or any of its employee
b. Libel or cyberlibel- any inaccurately or injuriously written defamation triggered via electronic means, including the Internet, social media, email and websites against the School or to any of its employees
c. Gross disobedience/ defiance to school authorities
d. Disrespect to the school and to its employees- any form of disrespect or public humiliation of the School and its employees in any platform (in group chats or in any social media networks)
e. Defacing the National Flag, the School’s logo or any sacrilegious things
f. Defacing the MCA Mandaluyong's Portal or the MCA Online Learning Zone or any of its forum or bulletin boards
g. Acts inimical to the reputation of the School- involvement in gang/riot wars, malicious mischief, theft or any violation of the laws of the country as proven by police or barangay blotter, smoking or drinking while in school uniform, being involved in immoral scandals
h. Refusal to attend any authorized school activity without valid reason
D.6. OFFENSES AGAINST SECURITY
These violations endanger the safety and security of the learners in the virtual learning environment and are considered as Level 3 Major Violations:
a. Stealing/hacking another learner’s personal account in the MCA Mandaluyong's Portal or in the MCA Online Learning Zone
b. Identity theft- deliberately stealing/hacking another learner’s personal account in the MCA Mandaluyong's Portal or in the MCA Online Learning Zone and use of such learner’s private identifying information, usually for financial or academic gain.
c. Membership to fraternities, sororities or any unauthorized organizations
d. Engaging in hazings and inhumane initiations by any associations
e. Involving oneself to any drug-related activities or influencing other learner/s to be involved in the same
f. Unauthorized video or audio recording, screenshot or screen recording of the online class
g. Unauthorized publishing, posting, distribution or use in any platform of unauthorized recording of the online class or the original contents in the MCA Online Learning Zone